Welcoming Indiana bar responds to haters.
Here's the letter that the Lamasco Bar received:
Here is the owner's response on Facebook:
I. Can't. Even.
I have spent the better part of this afternoon and evening having so many feels in regards to this letter, and I am not even sure where to begin.
I don't think I have ever gone from such intense feelings of anger to protectiveness to sadness in such a short period of time. So many of my dear friends are LGBT, and to know the character and moral fiber of these humans, and to know this is something they have to deal with on a daily basis, makes my momma bear side absolutely irate; anger so intense it makes you cry. For these people to say we are "low" to make sure EVERY SINGLE HUMAN feels welcome in my place business, Mr. and Mrs. Hill, you most certainly know nothing about me or how I conduct my business. I have such a hard time even mentally grappling with your logic, because I live in a world that a person is a person. IT IS THAT SIMPLE. I am in the business of people, and in particular, we pride ourselves on making every single person that walks through our door feel welcomed. A first time Lamasco Bar and Grill patron walks in our door as a friend, and more often than not, leaves as family. AND THIS LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, AND TOLERANCE IS EXTENDED TO ALL! And under my watch and care, for many decades to come, this will always be the manner in which I conduct business.
In regards to to the values of the original owners, I must say, you did give me quite a chuckle. Lamasco Bar, during the 1920's, was a speak-easy and house of ill-repute. Stories of gambling, illegal rum-running, stories of loose women and even looser liquor pours abound. For me, this was part of the charm of the old gal, and one of the reasons I fell in love with our story. I can guarantee you, the original owners are rolling over in their graves at your supposition they would be offended by my current manner in running the business, NOT at us accepting ALL people.
In regards to shaming my employees, I have never been more proud of a group of people. My LAMASCO FAMILY, is compromised of some of the most kind, caring, ethical, community minded individuals I have ever seen in a small business. The way they take care of each other, our extended Lamasco family (patrons), and the way they have adopted my business philosophy of love and acceptance above all, makes me one the proudest business owners ever.
I'm sure you can find a like-minded bigoted owner in which to patronize their business, but I do wish for a day in my hometown, in which this would be an impossibility! You might want to stay off Franklin Street and Haynie's Corner, because all we have is love there too. I know MANY owners in the business community of Evansville, and there are MANY who are very supportive of basic human rights for all. In fact, you can check all the places in Evansville to stay away from, at Map Evansville!
I will do my best to take a moment out of my very love and awesome filled life to send you light and soul healing thoughts, Mr. and Mrs. Hill. It probably wouldn't take but a few times for you to #GetLamascoed and we could have you waving your freak flags, spewing rainbows, and having a much more general happy disposition. Very quickly with our crew and our crowds, we'd have you learning the gift of acceptance and love for all in no time.
= new reply since forum marked as read
and don't let me easily separate the sheet out of the book, you won't find me buying that cheap-ass brand of notebook again.
ITA - classy, just like the idiots who wrote it. 
At the pediatric office, we occasionally get real pain-in-ass parents who are always unhappy and play the "We just might have to leave for another practice" card. We don't miss their business one bit, and politely restrain ourselves from saying, "Please do, and the sooner the better."
Eloquent and wonderful response! It SO restores my faith! I think we all need to see, read, and savor more stuff like this. We all need reminding that there are loads of people on THIS particular platform here - than there are the bad guys. They're just never the noisy ones, so they don't get noticed as much. I know I certainly need reminders of this! Thank you for posting this one, ehrnst!
We're not all bigots here. And I have a new favorite bar when I'm next in Evansville. 
